On the blog amcherryfairy, this mother describes how Peter Capaldi went out of his way to talk to a her autistic daughter about Matt Smith's departure from the show. The family just happened to be vacationing in Cardiff and ran into the Series 8 shoot. Apparently-

"when matt smith said he was leaving she was worried, because she goes on adventures with doctor who and Clara and she was worried that the new doctor ( Peter ) would not like her and wouldn't want to join in her games."

The Mirror correspondent, Richard Beech, is reporting some dramatic rumors from the creative inner sanctum of Doctor Who, namely that, Peter Capaldi's run as The 12th Doctor will last for only one series as a transition for a major direction shift. It is worth noting that Moffat is notorious for playing the press and all of this is very early conjecture, but the thought of this "change" is fascinating and begs many possibilities.

Is Moffat giving up the reigns?
Moffat has gone through the casting process of two Doctors, multiple companions and the 50th anniversary all while making Who and Sherlock the most successful British televsion exports ever; the man may need a break.

Will the 13th be not a white man?
The fandom was abuzz at the idea of a culturally diverse Doctor before Capaldi's introduction (even Helen Mirren was for it). Could Capaldi be the training wheels for such a dramatic shift in the character?

If this conjecture turns out to be true, anything is possible for Series 9. Read Beech's full article here.

History Boys actor, Samuel Anderson has been cast as a companion to join Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman in the eighth season of Doctor Who. He's playing Danny Pink, a teacher who works with Coleman's Clara Oswald, as a teacher at Coal Hill School. On the role, Anderson says

"I was so excited to join Doctor Who, I wanted to jump and click my heels, but I was scared I might not come down before filming started! It's a quintessential part of British culture and I can't believe I'm party of it. It's an honour to be able to work alongside Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman and I can't wait to show people how my character becomes involved with such a fantastic duo!"

What do you think? Will Danny be a potential love interest for Clara or just another traveler caught up in the Doctor's adventures?